Feature and Giveaway: Devil in Tartan by Julia London

Lottie Livingstone bears the weight of an island on her shoulders. Under threat of losing their home, she and her clan take to the seas to sell a shipload of illegal whiskey. When an attack leaves them vulnerable, she transforms from a maiden daughter to a clever warrior. For survival, she orchestrates the siege of a rival’s ship and now holds the devilish Scottish captain Aulay Mackenzie under her command.

Tied, captive and forced to watch a stunning siren commandeer the Mackenzie ship, Aulay burns with the desire to seize control—of the ship and Lottie. He has resigned himself to a life of solitude on the open seas, but her beauty tantalizes him like nothing has before. As authorities and enemies close in, he is torn between surrendering her to justice and defending her from assailants. He’ll lose her forever, unless he’s willing to sacrifice the unimaginable…

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ARC Review: The Sinful Scottish Laird by Julia London

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Julia London book, I remembered why I enjoyed her historical novels just as much if not more than her contemporary stuff. The characters are always well written there is good chemistry between them and the active setting is always so believable. But with this book it all built up and then it just ended. It had the big grand gesture that romance novels almost always need to end with the happily ever after; this one fell short only because she’s done it before and to me it wasn’t that impressive. I think it could have been better but the ending seemed rushed like she was trying to wrap it up so she wouldn’t exceed her word count.

Daisy and Cailean (love that name, Cailean) they were both quiet enjoyable characters. Cailean suffered a heartbreak in his youth and it scared him off forming any sort of permanent relationship with a woman. He is determined never to marry and never have kids, he has plenty of siblings for that. Cailean and his family are smugglers, “free traders” in a time before the big Jacobite uprising and before the massacre that was Culloden tensions were high and the Scottish were suspicious of anyone British in the highlands. Daisy Bristol has been a widow for almost three years in her husband’s will he stipulated that she had to remarry in three years’ time or else their son will lose a majority of his inheritance. Even worse he charged the local bishop with helping her, the pious man has horrible taste in men for her and was acting like it was his choice on who she had to marry. To get away from the fortune hunters and the hordes of horrendous men the bishop was forcing on her Daisy took her son and the entire household to the hunting lodge in the highlands.

Daisy was just going to wait until she heard from her long lost love, Robert, before going back to London. Robert sent a letter telling Daisy he has never stopped loving her and that when his commission is up they’ll get married. Daisy taking her son up to Scotland was just supposed to be temporary but Daisy feel in love with the stark beauty of the highlands. The disrepair of the lodge had everyone working to repair it Daisy dug in and brought back the garden and the house to its former glory. Cailean is Daisy’s closest neighbor and despite not wanting anything to do with Daisy he keeps finding himself with her and not only that but her son was in desperate need of a male role model and the boy quickly worked himself in to Cailean’s heart. Daisy and Cailean as much as they tried to not fall in love with each other but it seemed inevitable but there are too many complications that seemed impossible to overcome.

Overall, it was a good romance Daisy and Cailean were wonderfully done the ending just fell short for me.     

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: The Perfect Homecoming by Julia London

This is part of a series is it essential that you read the other two, no; do I recommend it, YES! Julia London ties her Thrillseekers Anonymous series and Pine River series with Emma Tyler and Cooper Jessup. The series as a whole is great with difficult and realistic characters that are at times hard to like, but so worth it. This was a hard book for me to read not because it was bad but because it was so emotionally tolling it took a lot out of me. Emma is by her own admission is a bitch and I knew in the first book I would love her. She is in her own words “hard and flinty”; she has no filter and always speaks the truth, even when it is hurtful. If you don’t want the truth don’t ask Emma. Sometimes she doesn’t even realize just how hurtful she can be. Emma also suffers from Daddy issues, always seeking the attention from older men even if it makes her feel dirty and ashamed.

Cooper is co-owner of the extreme event planner and is feeling left out and hates the changes that have happened since all his other partners got married and had kids. When an old client asks him to retrieve a stolen item that his soon to be ex-wife is demanding to have back Cooper is hesitant but the other partners say hey money is money. So Cooper tracks down Emma, the clients a one-night stand who swiped a small trinket on her way out and is adamant that she did not take it. Cooper knows Emma he has met her before and what he knows about her doesn’t match up with what other people say about her. The antagonistic teasing between the two gets old it goes on way to long but when they finally gives in it is intense.

As Cooper spends time with her he realizes why she does what she does and even thought he doesn’t like it he accepts her as she is but Emma is a tough person to love and even tougher when it comes to letting people love her. Other stuff happens like the three sisters finally bond and finally come to understand Emma. The lode stone of the series, Leo Kendrick, who has played a pivotal part in all the books has words of wisdom for Emma that helps her come to touch with what she needs. There is so much I could write about this book and this series instead I will say if you do read it read the whole series and keep a box a tissue close by one more thing Emma is a hard pill to swallow and not everyone is going to like her but for me it was everyone else’s reactions to her that pissed me off, yes even Cooper. I loved the series as much as I hate to crying this series is truly good.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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ARC Review: The Devil Takes a Bride by Julia London

First, I want to say… I’ve started many Julia London books and have not finished them because she writes about things and events that are so uncomfortable. I’ve abandoned some of her books in the past. So… I was a little worried about delving into this story but at the same time I was interested in how she would play out the plot. This is the second book in the series and I have not read the previous one. Based on what I gathered from this story the predicament that Grace faces is the same as her sister in the previous book. But since I didn’t read it the storyline felt fresh to me.

One of the issues I have with London is I never “love” her hero and heroine… and when I began this story I had that familiar feel. Grace Cabot is the toast of London society at the beginning of the book. Through a series of events her step-father dies and her mother is going “crazy”. Based on the symptoms it seems she is dealing with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Because she has younger sisters she is very worried that news will spread about her mother’s disease and it will scandalize the family, thus making it difficult for the sisters to marry. She enjoys a flirtation with the main characters brother, Lord Amherst at the beginning of the book but it never leads to anything. She goes to Bath and learns that the younger brother Lord Amherst is there and comes up with a scheme to lure him into being caught with her. Grace realizes that everything has to be perfectly timed. So when he enters she goes to kiss him and discovers that it’s Geoffrey, the Earl of Beckington, who shows up and not his brother. Needless to say they end up married.

So… I didn’t really care for Grace at the beginning of the book. I found her to be shallow and manipulative-she is basically planning to trap a man into marriage. I did start to like her more as the story progressed because she really made an effort to make her marriage work. I did have a problem with her attitude. Once they are married she asks Geoffrey if they are going to have a real marriage or if he is going to hate her forever. Whereas I understand her willingness to make the marriage work, she did just trap him to the alter and he was almost accused of raping her. I would assume that Geoffrey might have some hard feelings and issues trusting her when he knew her for less than five minutes when all this occurred.

Geoffrey was such a complicated and layered character that in many ways he was why I liked the book. Geoffrey is very, very, very meticulous. He likes everything a very specific way and has very specific rules for symmetry and where things are located. As we get to know Geoffrey it’s apparent that he suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). At first his need for control and very precise environment. Everything has to be in 8’s. At first, Grace has a difficult time getting to know her husband. She can’t understand his need for control and she really doesn’t learn about his situation until almost the end of the book. Grace sees it as him pushing her away and trying to punish her for what she did.

There were a couple of things that bothered me. One was their coming together as husband and wife. Their intimate moments were so difficult to read I thought I was not going to be able to get through them. Also, even though people were not comfortable around Geoffrey he never seemed “devilish.” He was actually very responsible and kind to the people around him. But, and this is a big but, I really loved how the author developed these two characters. I thought she was honest and authentic in how their relationship developed. Both of them had to overcome trusting each other and letting down their vulnerabilities. There is a part where Grace explains to Geoffrey that she will never be perfect. I thought that scene was so beautiful. So very well done! I was also very impressed with how the author didn’t make Lord Amherst a dead beat rogue. I really liked how she developed him and his storyline. I imagined it going one way and she went a completely different direction-which I loved. I’m glad I stuck through with this book. I found it to be very rewarding and it’s a book that made a big impact on me and I will remember. I’m sure Julia London fans will love it.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: One Mad Night by Julia London

Two Romantic Adventures...One Mad Night

Two delightful contemporary romance novellas in one book from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London.

One winter’s night a blizzard sweeps across the country, demonstrating that fate can change the course of lives in an instant…and fate has got a sense of humor.

One Mad Night

Chelsea Crawford and Ian Rafferty are high profile ad execs in cutthroat competition for a client. When a major winter storm puts New York City on lockdown, the two rivals have to make it through the night together—oh, the many ways in which opposites attract...

The Bridesmaid - Bonus Novella
RITA Award Nominee for Best Romance Novella of 2013

Kate Preston has just moved to New York. Joe Firretti is contemplating a move to Seattle. When the weather wreaks havoc with transportation systems, Kate and Joe meet as they are both trying to rent the last car available… As Kate races to make her best friend’s wedding, and Joe races to a life-altering job interview, it looks like together is the only way they’ll make it at all.

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It took a moment for Chelsea to notice him, which gave Ian a moment to admire her. He was going to crush her tomorrow, but that didn’t stop him from appreciating a figure that guys like him dreamed about. Chelsea was wearing a skirt today. It hit about mid-thigh and was tight enough to show off all her curves. She looked a bit taller today too. He glanced at her feet and noticed the shoes. Chelsea was walking on stilts, and her legs, good God, her legs. She was smoking hot in that dress and those shoes.

“Hey!” she said sharply, her voice full of accusation.

Ian’s head snapped up. “Hey,” he said con-genially. “Practicing your pitch?” He settled one hip onto the conference table.

“Do you mind?” She gestured to the door in a be-­off-­with-­you way.

“If you want, I could listen and give you some feedback.”

Chelsea’s mouth dropped open. And then her green eyes narrowed into little slits. “You have got to be the most arrogant man I’ve ever met.”

Ian smiled and shrugged.

“You can go, Ian,” she said, marching around the conference table to usher him out. “I think I’ve got it.”

“Suit yourself.”

“I will.”

“So hostile,” he said with a wink as he stood up. “I’m just trying to help. It never hurts for someone to hear the pitch, right? You’ve had someone listen to you go through it, right?”

“Yes, I’ve had—­Hey, hey,” she said, poking him in the chest. “Are you trying to play me?” she demanded. “Because it won’t work. I’m not some junior account person, you know. You can’t intimidate me.”

“Well, obviously,” Ian said and poked her back. “You wouldn’t be pitching at all if you were a junior account person. I know I can’t intimidate you. It wasn’t a declaration of war, you know; it was an offer to help.”

“It wasn’t a let-­me-­help, best-­friends-­forever offer, either. I’m not playing games with you. This account means a lot to me—­”

“Me too.”

“Oh yeah?” she said, shifting closer. “Well, don’t get too attached to the idea. I’ve got seniority, you know.”

“So why are you so afraid to show me what you’ve got?”

“Because it’s none of your business.”

“On the eve of the championship, it’s okay to go out and shoot some hoops with your competitor. It’s not going to affect tomorrow’s big game. It’s not like I can go out and change weeks of work overnight if I see you’ve got something better.”

She laughed. “Good try, Rafferty, but I think maybe the reason you want to see my pitch is because you’re worried about the strength of your pitch. Is it a little rough? Maybe I should listen to you.” She winked, and her green eyes shone with pleasure at her comeback.

“I’m definitely not worried about my pitch.”

“No? Seems to me if you’re presenting three,” she said, holding up three fingers and wiggling them at him, “then you must be uncertain which one is the winner.” Her smile broadened into sheer triumph, as if she thought she’d really zinged him.

She hadn’t zinged him, but Ian did wonder how she knew what he had…Zach. Of course. That rat bastard. “Have you been talking to Zimmerman?” he asked accusingly.

She shrugged and studied her manicure. “Maybe. Does it matter? I thought we were doing the let’s-­help-­each-­other thing. But if we’re not, would you mind toddling off? I have a lot of work I need to do before tomorrow. I plan to hit the ground running with this account on Monday.”

She was amazingly and annoyingly confident. Ian was generally a confident guy, but she was making him a teensy bit nervous. “You really think you’re going to get this, don’t you?”

“I don’t think, I know,” she said, looking up.

He tilted his head to one side to study her. “Isn’t it obvious to you why they brought me in?”

“I don’t know—­I haven’t given it the slightest bit of thought.” She lifted her chin, and Ian realized she lied about as well as she engaged in verbal volleyball. “I’ve been promised that this account is as good as mine. Didn’t they tell you that when they brought you in?”

A bit more of Ian’s confidence leaked out of him. He’d been in New York advertising long enough to know that the industry was full of snakes. He wouldn’t put it past anyone to feed him a bunch of half-­baked promises to get him to commit. “Who told you?”

She grinned. “None of your beeswax.”

“Come on, tell me—­” His phone rang, distracting him momentarily. He fished it out of his pocket and noticed the number was the Grabber-­Paulson main number. That was weird. “Listen, I’ll just say this,” he said, clicking off the phone. “Don’t be so sure of things. People say things they don’t mean, especially in this industry.” He started for the door.

“Uh-­huh, I know. And I would offer you the same advice, Mr. Rafferty,” she said in a singsong voice, and she flashed a dazzling smile, full of straight white teeth.

“Cocky too. I like that about you,” he said. “I’ll keep it in mind when I make partner.” He winked at her, smiled as if he was completely unbothered, and went out of the conference room.

Julia London is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the Homecoming Ranch contemporary series, the Secrets of Hadley Green historical romance series, and numerous other works. She is a four-time finalist for the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in romantic fiction, and RT Bookclub award recipient for Best Historical Romance. She lives in Austin, Texas.

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ARC Review: One Mad Night by Julia London

I am a big fan of Julia London when I got the opportunity to read an ARC of her newest contemporary novella I jumped at the chance and I got to tell ya…it was so worth it. I loved this book. It kind of reminded me of one of my favorite movies Lover Come Back to Me an old Doris Day/Rock Hudson movie about advertising firms fighting over an account. Here we have Chelsea Crawford and Ian Rafferty working for the same Advertising agency; after all a little in-house competition is healthy.

The newest and high profile account that comes with a partnership is up for grabs and Chelsea and Ian are in a silent war for the account and the job. While one of the bosses has told Chelsea flat out the account is hers one of the partners has told Ian it’s his and it’s only just a formality of letting Chelsea pitch her idea. Ian feels like shit over it he knows how had she has worked on that and it isn’t fair. Chelsea hates that she is attracted to her “arch-nemesis” but Ian is just too hot to ignore. Ian wouldn’t mind being friends with the competitive and beautiful Chelsea but she pushes him away at every turn. That is until a freak snow storm blows in and traps them in the office over night and they finally confront each other about this account and other ones in the past and about each other feelings. Together for one crazy night that changes every thing.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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